Bradenton looks to ban medical mariuana dispensaries within the city

With the exception of Trulieve, which celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 19 at 1103 14th St. W., Bradenton looks to ban any more medical marijuana dispensaries from being built within city limits.

The council passed a first reading of an ordinance banning the facilities on Wednesday night with just days left on a six-month moratorium on dispensaries that was designed to allow the city time to review its land regulations to determine where to allow the facilities. The last six months was an extension of the city’s first moratorium enacted last year after 71 percent of Floridians voted in favor of medical marijuana.

Trulieve had already filed for permits to build the Bradenton facility prior to the November 2016 election. Bradenton’s actions follow Palmetto, which gave a consensus to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in August and followed that up Monday night by scheduling a first public hearing on Oct. 16.

On Aug. 22, Manatee County voted 6-0 to allow dispensaries to be built in unincorporated areas of the county with a 500-foot buffer between property lines related to schools. Palmetto’s decision was based on the county’s approval with Palmetto Vice Mayor Brian Williams saying, “I think it would be more efficient to allow the county to be the one to handle dispensaries.”

Holmes Beach and Anna Maria also have banned the facilities from being built within the island cities.

Bradenton’s ordinance does leave room for future change noting that the city “at least initially” does not believe dispensing facilities are appropriate within city limits. The city has had a year to determine land use regulations for dispensaries, but the ordinance does say until those issues are resolved, “it would be in the public interest to exercise the option to band medical marijuana treatment center dispensing facilities in the city of Bradenton at the present time.”

Bradenton attorney Bill Lisch said it may only be a temporary move.

“There aren’t a lot of places in the city to put one with all of the restrictions in locations,” Lisch said. “There are more changes coming up through the Legislature and my recommendation is to just do this and see what’s coming down the road.”

Bradenton will hold a public hearing on Oct. 11

The city also:

▪  Passed a resolution to change city meeting times. Ward 1 Councilman Gene Gallo introduced the proposal to change city meetings back to only morning meetings for the first time since 2000. The city reserves the right to change a morning meeting to evening, if it is deemed there may be a controversial topic.

▪  Residential Improvement Program: The city is initiating a new program for the city’s three Community Redevelopment Agencies to increase funding for residential improvements to improve property conditions and values, as well as meet the CRA primary goal of eliminating slum and blight.

The project will provide homeowners with the means to help exterior home improvements, landscaping and front yard fencing. Each project is eligible to receive up to $2,500. It is an 80-20 matching grant, with the city paying up to 80 percent of the costs, but eligible homeowners can provide their 20 percent either through payments or community service. Applicants must schedule an appointment with Economic Development Director Carl Callahan by calling 941-932-9486.

▪  Neighborhood Pride Program. The city is initiating another new program within the CRAs to encourage neighborhood groups to come together for the betterment of their community. Groups that come together to collaborate on improvement projects may be eligible for up to $5,000 to implement their ideas. For more information and eligibility requirements, contact Callahan.

This story was originally published September 27, 2017 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Bradenton looks to ban medical mariuana dispensaries within the city."